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Julia Sawalha

Julia Sawalha

Actor · Born September 9, 1968 (58) · Wandsworth, London, England

Julia Sawalha (born September 9, 1968) is an English actress, who is best known for her role as Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon in the BBC sitcom Absolutely Fabulous. She is also known for portraying Lynda Day, editor of the Junior Gazette, in Press Gang, Lydia Bennet in the 1995 television miniseries of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, and voicing Ginger in Chicken Run. Additionally, she played Dorcas Lane in the BBC's costume drama Lark Rise to Candleford, Carla Borrego in Jonathan Creek, and Jan Ward in the 2014 BBC One mystery Remember Me. Description above from the Wikipedia article Julia Sawalha, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 9, 1968 (58)
From
Wandsworth, London, England
Works as
Actor
Titles
25 on MovieCove · 57 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

What are Julia Sawalha's films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
27%
Society
21%
Self
21%
Power
12%
Morality
12%
Ideas
6%
Survival
2%
Friendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFame2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 5 · Serious 0 · Dark 1

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 0 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 3 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 0 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 1

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

7 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 7 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 7
Threshold guardian
1 of 7
Shapeshifter
1 of 7
Hero
1 of 7
Mentor
1 of 7
Show the 7 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
7
Warm
6
Tense
5
Absurd
4
Hopeful
3
Other
8

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCozy4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet2
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Julia Sawalha's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 17 of their 25 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Julia Sawalha's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

57 credits, 25 with a MovieCove page; 7 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget(2023)

    as Ginger -Flashback Scene (voice)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • British Sitcom: 60 Years of Laughing at Ourselves(2016)

    as Comedy Role (archive footage) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • We Love Sitcom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie(2016)

    as Saffron Monsoon

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Remember Me(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Jan Ward

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Father Brown(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs Cynthia Wendle

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Wallace & Gromit x Google Hangout | A Video Call with Aardman Friends! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Ginger

  • Vera(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Helen Rushden

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Underdog Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 10 episodes · Actor

  • Lark Rise to Candleford(2008)

    Show 40 episodes · as Dorcas Lane

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Cranford(2007)

    Show 7 episodes · as Jessie Brown

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Agatha Christie's Marple(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Cresswell

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Bottom Mindless Violence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Veronica Head (archive footage) (uncredited)

  • Comedy Connections (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 46 episodes · Actor

  • Kipper: Fun In The Sun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • Hornblower: Duty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Maria Hornblower

  • Hornblower: Loyalty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Maria Mason

  • The Final Curtain(2002)

    as Karen Willet

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Venus and Mars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Marie

  • Mirrorball (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Freda Keill

  • Time Gentlemen Please (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 37 episodes · as Janet Wilson

  • Chicken Run(2000)

    as Ginger (voice)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Sheeep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 18 episodes · as Georgina (voice)

  • Bob Martin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Julia Sawalha

  • The Nearly Complete and Utter History of Everything (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Catherine Parr

  • The Flint Street Nativity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Dawn/Wise Man 1

  • Comic Relief: Doctor Who - The Curse of Fatal Death(1999)

    as Emma

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Absolutely Fabulous: A Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon (archive footage)

  • Hornblower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Maria Mason

  • Kipper(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Mouse (voice)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Ain't Misbehavin' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dolly Nightingale

  • Jonathan Creek(1997)

    Show 6 episodes · as Carla Borrego

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Midsomer Murders(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Penny Henderson

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Kipper: Puppy Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Mouse

  • Absolutely Fabulous: The Last Shout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Saffron Monsoon

  • The Wind in the Willows(1996)

    as The Jailer's Daughter

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Faith in the Future (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 22 episodes · as Hannah Grayshot

  • A Midwinter's Tale(1995)

    as Nina

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Pride and Prejudice(1995)

    Show 6 episodes · as Lydia Bennet

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • How to Be Absolutely Fabulous(1995)

    as Saffron "Saffy" Monsoon (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Martin Chuzzlewit(1994)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mercy Pecksniff

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Absolutely Fabulous(1992)

    Show 34 episodes · as Saffron 'Saffy' Monsoon

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Bottom(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Veronica Head

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Second Thoughts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 49 episodes · as Hannah Grayshot

  • Buddy's Song (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Kelly

  • The Word (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • He-Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Alison

  • Spatz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Chloe Fairbanks

  • El C.I.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Trudy

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Teresa

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Press Gang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 43 episodes · as Lynda Day

  • Inspector Morse(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Rachel

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Casualty(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Nikki Watson

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Lovejoy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Joanna

  • Educating Marmalade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 3 episodes · as Good Girl

  • Fame Is the Spur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Amy Ryerson

  • Masterpiece Mystery (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs Cresswell

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 57 titles from 1980 to 2023; peak year 1999.

Biggest box office

Chicken Run (2000)

$225M worldwide

Highest rated

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Absolutely Fabulous (1992)

Film career

19802023

Peak 1999 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting57 of 57: 57 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score89th

By decade

1980s8 · acting1990s24 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s7 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 14% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Julia Sawalha's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 57th percentile, the median of all 9; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 71st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

71stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 25 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th4
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

10 of their 25 titles are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser9
  • Mixed5

Most divisive · actor

How to Be Absolutely Fabulous (1995)

69th percentile spread · 12% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Pride and Prejudice (1995)

Midcredits 98th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 82/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 86, detractors 45. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Julia Sawalha's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity and frightening / intense run lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 37 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles12–53 · median 29 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles5–58 · median 18 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 27 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles6–55 · median 28 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Julia Sawalha work with?

People who share at least 2 of Julia Sawalha's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jane Horrocks shares the most, 3.

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers